Asma exchanges harsh words with judges in Altaf ban case

LAHORE: Hot words were exchanged between Asma Jahangir and Lahore High Court judges after former declined to furnish a written apology over her remarks against judges for banning media coverage of the MQM chief. 

A full bench headed by Justice Mazhar Ali Akbar Naqvi was hearing several petitions seeking ban on media coverage of Altaf Hussain’s activities in the wake of his alleged statements against state institutions, including the army and Rangers. 

As hearing started, petitioners’ counsel showed video of TV programme in which Asma had criticised judges for banning media coverage of Altaf Hussain. The counsel alleged that Asma had become habitual of committing contempt of court. On this, bench head Justice Naqvi asked Asma to submit a written apology, considering it contemptuous remarks but she refused to do. 

This made courtroom atmosphere tense.  Asma Jahangir said “the decision of the court is wrong; I don’t accept it by heart, I haven’t committed contempt of court as I have told the court openly what I had in my heart”. “I apologise over what I have said due to the sanctity of the institution and not for the judges sitting on the bench,” said Asma Jahangir adding that “judges decide matters on the chits of petitioners; such decisions I don’t accept”. 

Asma refused to submit written apology when the judges holding the bench asked her “you are committing contempt of court, submit your written-apology”. 

Meanwhile, MQM workers and petitioners’ counsel fought each other and loudly said “shame, shame”. The bench asked Asma Jahangir to submit written apology for what she had said against the judges. At this, Asma said “I don’t want to write what I don’t accept”. The bench remarked “are you dual national that you say different and do different”. Lahore High Court Bar Association’s chief Pir Masood Chishti intervened into hot exchange of words between her and the members of the bench pleading that “the matter is of very sensitive nature, so the proceedings should be adjourned”. 

At this, the bench adjourned further hearing until March 28 and directed the petitioners’ counsels to submit a civil miscellaneous application on what happened in the court. 

Senator Attiqur Rehman, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Barrister Saif Ali Khan were also present in the courtroom. Later, MQM workers and petitioners started fighting each other as soon as they came out of the courtroom. Some people also shouted slogans against the judiciary. Some lawyers approached Old Anarkali Police Station to lodge FIRs against those who attacked the judiciary by sloganeering against it and by creating unrest on the court premises.